Belated “Happy Birthday!” to one of Halifax’s most famous sons — Samuel Cunard. The Canadian founder of the cruise line that eventually bore his name was born on November 21, 1787.

Cunard established the first scheduled service across the Atlantic when, in 1839, he created the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. Today, travel on the Cunard ships — Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria — is luxurious.

Britannia was the name of Cunard’s first steamship, which left Liverpool on July 4, 1940, on a 12-day voyage to a hero’s welcome in Halifax.

By the way, there is a statue of the famous ship builder that you can see when disembarking from your cruise ship in the Nova Scotia capital.

Happy Birthday, “Uncle” Sam.

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Oceania Cruises is making over a good portion of its fleet and bringing on board many of the popular features that the larger and newer Riviera and Marina have.

Scheduled work includes a state-of-the-art grill in the Terrace Cafe plus all the cabins will have new decors and the suites new bathrooms. Horizons and Martinis will be completely re-done to include new furniture, the main public areas and pool decks will be spruced up and there will be improvements in the Spa.

You should be able to smell the newness when these three ships emerge from their refurbishings.

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When you’re going to be at sea on longer cruises, learning is one of the great pastimes that ships have to offer. Chess, computers, photography, bridge, history…it’s all good in my books.

You can tell I bore easy — yes, it is a problem. “Relax, Dad” is a common refrain in our family.

And in addition to learning there is, of course, food.

Holland America will bring 50 chefs and food experts onto its ships in 2014. Many have superb credentials — Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef” competitor Jehangir Mehta, Food Network’s “Extreme Chef” winners Chef Amadeus and Terry French, and New York Times columnist and cookbook author Mark Bittman. whose new book VB6 (eat Vegan before six) has been getting great reviews.

These industry leaders will engage guests in activities ranging from cooking shows and wine tasting to Q-and-A sessions in the ships’ full show kitchen. Most Holland America ships have a great kitchen and up-to-date technology so all can witness the creations.

For all you need to know about the sailings, including a full schedule of the culinary guest program, visit the Culinary Arts Center page on Holland America’s website.

For more information on the cruises, consult a professional cruise travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.